Ellen Cockerham Riccio, violin

Ellen Cockerham Riccio has served as Principal Second Violin of the Richmond Symphony since 2009. She has been a featured soloist with the Symphony and served as acting concertmaster from January to May 2011. Previously, she served as principal second in the Canton (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra and in CityMusic Cleveland. Ellen’s “exquisite” performance of Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben as guest concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony in 2013 exhibited “an extraordinary range of expression,” according to the Commercial Appeal. In 2016, she was a guest soloist with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, performing Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy.

A native of Portland, OR, Ellen holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she was a student of William Preucil, former concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. Ellen has been the recipient of awards from CIM, the Kent/Blossom Music Festival, and Tanglewood Music Center.

In 2013, Ellen founded Classical Revolution RVA, a nonprofit organization which seeks to integrate classical music with Richmond’s vibrant music and arts scene by performing in bars, restaurants, galleries, and other non-traditional venues. She served as the organization’s executive director for five years and continues to bring chamber music into the Richmond community..